Penticton group posts Lyme Sucks Challenge video

PENTICTON – A Penticton group has put out a YouTube video with a twist on last summer’s “Ice Bucket Challenge” in an attempt to raise awareness about Lyme Disease.

The Penticton B.C. and Area Lyme Group recently put together the video as part of the “Lyme Sucks Challenge,” which started last October.

Video producer Gary McDougall said he was looking for an entertaining way to get the message across about Lyme disease.

Rules of the Lyme Challenge require the participant to film themselves sucking half a lime. Participants then nominate three others to take the Lyme Sucks Challenge, and post the video to social media. Finally. participants are asked to donate $10 to a lyme disease research organization.

McDougall’s interest in the campaign stems from the fact his wife, Sue, suffers from the disease.

“Of the eight people in the video, five have Lyme Disease,” McDougall said.

Sue McDougall can’t recall exactly when she contracted the disease, sometime between 2007 and 2009, she thinks.  She’s currently undergoing treatment, but still has some symptoms of the disease.

“Initially, those with Lyme Disease are misdiagnosed, when they could be easily treated during the disease’s early stages,” she said, noting many patients end up seeking treatment in the U.S. because doctors in Canada don’t know what to look for.

The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation calls Lyme Disease a serious threat that is on the rise in Canada, adding treatment and public awareness are largely inadequate. More information can be found at the foundation’s website located at: www.CanLyme.org

May is traditionally recognized as Lyme Awareness Month.

%%Embed1%%

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

One response

  1. Gary McDougall

    Nice job on the story, thanks Steve.

Leave a Reply

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

Steve Arstad's Stories

More Articles